Meet Todd Letlow
Major: Nonprofit Administration
Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Internship Placement: Cleveland State University’s Department of Residence Life
Todd Letlow worked as an intern for the CSU Department of Residence Life. Over the course of his internship, he was able to improve his communication skills and take on new projects. Read about his story:
How did you learn about the internship opportunity?
I asked the Director of the department if they would be interested in hosting an intern. Since the staff members were all new, they were more than happy to bring me on to support the team.
How long did you intern there?
I started on August 30th and my last day was December 15th.
Tell us a little bit about your position and specifically what you did there.
I was asked to inspect all four of the Res Life properties; I inspected The Langston, The Edge, Fenn Tower, and Euclid Commons. I created a PowerPoint and a binder with my inspection sheets and all my recommendations.
What's one thing you learned about CSU Res Life that you didn't know prior to your internship?
One thing that stands out is how important college resident halls are to the overall school atmosphere and student engagement
What was your favorite project? Why?
I loved the amenities project I did. I am a very organized person and a tad bit of a control freak, so being given a project with so much freedom and alone time was great. I loved being able to give my honest opinion about what needed to be done in all the common spaces of the properties.
What skills did you learn, sharpen, or improve?
I improved my communication skills. I always knew that I needed to work on my communication skills. But through emails and voicemails, I never felt confident that I was explaining things thoroughly. During this internship, I communicated with students, coworkers, other departments, other properties, and my four bosses - so mastering communication was a must.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I love working in the property management field.
What surprised or challenged you?
What surprised me the most was the gratification you get when you finish a project. I have never had a project for a job that was so independent. When I saved my PowerPoint for the last time and closed the binder, it was such an exciting feeling.
Why was the experience valuable?
I am thankful for this experience because it made me less scared to graduate and start my career. I discovered that you are never fully done learning, so I don’t have to fear the unknown after graduation.
What advice do you have for current interns or students who are searching for an internship?
My advice is don’t be afraid to ask questions. Interns are supposed to get all they can from their experience.